中国水能资源丰富,蕴藏量和开发量均居世界首位。新中国成立以来,我国水电事业的发展取得了长足进步。经过长期而巨大的投入,目前中国的水电资源在开发规模、工程建设、技术水平和管理体制等诸多方面均已取得重大进展,成为世界水电开发大国。2007年全国水电设备容量和发电量分别为14823万kW和4717亿kW.h,比1949年增长约400倍。资源开发的空间变化则表现出明显的由东向西转移。新中国成立初期,水电建设主要集中于经济发展及用电增长较快的东部地区,水电站的建设以中小型为主。改革开放、尤其"西电东送"战略实施以来,国家把水力资源的开发提到更加重要的位置。目前,以三峡工程为代表的中部和西南地区水力资源的开发后来居上,已建和在建的大型和超大型水电枢纽工程不仅主导着全国水电生产的现状,而且决定着中国水电事业发展的未来。
There are so much water energy resources in China,that the hydropower deposit and exploitation amount are both occupies the first place in the world.Hydropower cause in China has experienced great progress since the new Republic founded,especially in the aspect of the amount,project,technical level,management and so on.In 2007 hydropower equipment Capacity is 148.23 million kW and generating capacity is 471.7 billion kW.h,increasing by about 400 times comparing to 1949's.Hydropower development shows a clear shift from east to west.In the beginning of new China founded,hydropower construction appeared in the eastern area where economic development and electricity demand were fast increasing.Small and medium-sized hydropower stations were mainly built.After Reform and opening,especially "Project for Delivering Electricity from the West to the East" began to practice,water resources exploit was put into a more important position.In the recent time,Central China and Southwest China water resources exploit are improving.And The Three Gorges Project is the most important symbol.The hydropower control projects built and building are determining both the present production situation and the future of hydropower system in China.